JP2002259274A - Network service system and recording medium with network service program stored therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network service method and a device which enable grasp of the utilization situation of distribution data at a distribution destination, for instance, collection of information representing accurate real advertisement results or increase of charging variation of charged distribution. SOLUTION: A server machine 4 has a first holding means holding the distribution data that can be utilized on optional client machines 1a to 1c by being downloaded to the client machines through a network 3, a second holding means holding an application program that is downloaded together with the distribution data by the client machines and used to collect use history of the distribution data in the client machines, and a third holding means for receiving use history data collected by the application program through the network and holding the use history data in the form of being able to notify the providing source of the distribution data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network service system and a recording medium storing a network service program, and for example, stores a network service system and a network service program for distributing data such as wallpaper data having an advertising effect. Related to a recorded medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, most information processing devices such as personal computers have an operating system (hereinafter abbreviated as "OS") with an improved graphical user interface (GUI).
The design of the desktop screen and various form objects can be changed according to the user's preference. For example, Wi, which is one of today's representative OS
In the windows (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) series, the background image of the desktop screen (so-called “wallpaper”)
Can be changed freely, or the properties of various objects that compose the form can be changed freely. Therefore, in such an OS,
Some default data is prepared in advance to meet the user's wishes.However, the user's preferences vary and the user's preferences change with the times. Was enough.

Therefore, various additional data for complementing the above-mentioned change data are distributed from Web sites on the Internet. For example, a website that publishes various beautiful wallpaper data is publicly known (such as http://www.kabegami.net/).
You can visit these websites to find wallpapers that match your taste, download them, and use them as background images on your desktop screen.

[0004] By the way, the wallpaper is a background image of a desktop screen of a personal computer or the like as described above, and such a background image is an image that is relatively easy to be seen by the user during the use period of the personal computer.
It is a preferable service to provide information such as a corporate advertisement or a product advertisement using wallpaper. For example, by distributing wallpaper using materials such as television commercials, continuous advertising can be performed on the distribution destination personal computer, so it is not limited to commercial time frames such as television broadcasting, Effective information can be notified over a period of time.

[0005]

However, in the above prior art, data such as wallpaper is simply downloaded from a Web site on the Internet to a user's personal computer. It is impossible to determine at all whether or not the personal computer is actually used on a personal computer, so that the following problems have been encountered.

(A) Advertisement record When an advertisement is performed using distribution data, the advertisement record can be grasped temporarily from the number of downloads, but an accurate record is obtained by checking whether the distribution data is actually used. I don't know without it. That is, if the downloaded data is simply downloaded, it remains stored in the user's personal computer. For example, if the downloaded data is used as wallpaper, it is not used in a state where the user can see it. No effect can be expected. Therefore, the above-mentioned prior art is insufficient in grasping an accurate advertising effect, and there is a technical problem to be solved in this respect.

(B) Billing Variations Some of the distribution data is distributed for a fee with a certain added value by using works of a famous designer. The charging process for pay data can be performed only for temporary charging at the time of downloading. This is because the actual usage status cannot be grasped, and for example, a pay-as-you-go billing mode in accordance with the actual usage cannot be achieved. Therefore, the above-mentioned prior art has a technical problem to be solved also in that it cannot increase the variation of billing.

From the above, the ultimate object of the present invention is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a network service method and apparatus capable of grasping the use status of distribution data at a distribution destination, for example, collecting information indicating an accurate advertisement result, or increasing the number of charging variations of paid distribution.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a network service system including a server machine and a client machine which can communicate with each other through a network. It has each means. The server machine comprises: first holding means for holding distribution data which can be used on the client machine by being downloaded to an arbitrary client machine via a network; and Second holding means for holding an application program used to collect the usage history of distribution data in the machine, and receiving the usage history data collected by the application program via a network and notifying the provider of the distribution data And a third holding means for holding in a suitable shape. The client machine holds request means for requesting the server machine to transmit distribution data, and distribution data transmitted from the server machine in response to the request and an application program for collecting usage history of the distribution data. Holding means for executing the application program held in the holding means, and transmitting means for transmitting usage history data collected by the application program at the time of execution to the server machine.

According to the present invention, when the distribution data is downloaded by the client machine, a predetermined application program is downloaded to the client machine together with the distribution data. Then, the use history of the distribution data on the client machine is collected by the operation of the application program,
The usage history data is transmitted from the client machine to the server machine.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the specification or examples of various details and examples of numerical values, character strings, and other symbols are merely reference for clarifying the idea of the present invention, and all or some of them Obviously, the spirit of the invention is not limited.
In addition, well-known methods, well-known procedures, well-known architectures, and well-known circuit configurations (hereinafter, “known matters”) will not be described in detail, but this is also for the purpose of simplifying the description. It does not intentionally exclude all or some of the matters. Such well-known matters can be known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing the present invention, and therefore are naturally included in the following description.

<Overview of Network Infrastructure> First, an overview of a network infrastructure required for the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a network infrastructure. In this figure, two client machine groups 1 and 2 are connected to a network 3, and a server machine 4 is connected to the network 3. Is schematically shown. The server machine 4 executes the network service according to the present embodiment, and each of the client machines 1a to 1c and 2a to 2c constituting the two client machine groups 1 and 2.
Can individually use the network service.

The network service according to the present embodiment includes:
For example, a service for distributing wallpaper data having an advertising effect is provided. In this case, each of the client machines 1a to 1c constituting one client machine group 1 is provided.
Is installed at the home of the user to whom the wallpaper data is distributed (hereinafter simply referred to as “user”), and each of the client machines 2 a to 2 c constituting the other client machine group 2 includes:
It is set up in the department in charge of the company that provides wallpaper data (hereinafter simply referred to as “company”).

Here, the client machines 1a to 1c,
When the functions to be provided are defined for each of the networks 2a to 2c, the network 3, and the server machine 4, first, the server machine 4 must have a function as a so-called Web server and a file server.
A required network service is executed using the web server and file server function (hereinafter, simply referred to as a server). On the other hand, the client machines 1a to 1c,
2a to 2c only need to have a function of accessing the server via the network 3. In this respect, general-purpose personal computers equipped with browser software and a network OS, dedicated word processors, portable information terminals, and the like. Use is preferred. This is because anyone can easily obtain the contents and can freely browse the contents on the server by connecting to the network 3 and upload and download files.

The network 3 must enable communication between at least the client machines 1a to 1c and 2a to 2c and the server machine 4. In general, the de facto standard of the network protocol is today. , Internet Protocol (I
P), and the majority of general-purpose personal computers, various server machines, and the like support this IP, so that the network 3 may be virtually any IP-compatible so-called “Internet”. Note that the Internet does not physically exist. It is a general term for IP-compatible communication media such as a backbone connecting Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and a subscriber line (or cable television line or wireless line) connecting the ISP to a subscriber's home.

<Business Model Structure> Next, a business model of a network service according to the present embodiment that can be realized by using the above-described network infrastructure will be described. FIG. 2 is a business model structure diagram of the network service in the present embodiment. Here, a distribution service of wallpaper data is illustrated as a typical application example.

In the figure, a vertically long dashed-dotted rectangular figure 1A drawn on the left side of the figure corresponds to one of the client machine groups 1 in FIG. 1, and a vertically long dashed-dotted rectangular figure 2A drawn on the right side of the drawing. 1 corresponds to the other client machine group 2 in FIG. 1, and the vertically long dashed-dotted rectangular figure 4A drawn in the center of the drawing corresponds to the server machine 4 in FIG. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, each of them is referred to as a user-side client group 1
A, a company-side client group 2A, and a service entity 4A.

The user-side client group 1A includes a plurality of user-side client machines 1a to 1c (corresponding to the client machines 1a to 1c in FIG. 1), and the company-side client group 2A includes a plurality of company-side client machines 2a to 2c.
2c (corresponding to the client machines 2a to 2c in FIG. 1). The service subject 4A includes functional parts such as a web service 4a, a file distribution service 4b, a usage history collection service 4c, and other processing services 4c, and holds distribution data provided from the enterprise client group 2A by these functions. At the same time, the distribution data is distributed in response to a request from the user-side client group 1A, and a dedicated application program for collecting the actual usage history of the distribution data at the distribution destination is provided to the user-side client group 1A. A series of services unique to the present embodiment, such as distributing and notifying the use history data of the distribution data compiled for each company to the company-side client group 2A, are realized on the network 3.

Here, the web service 4a performs user registration, login, and display of a list of distribution data held by the service entity 4 for each of the user-side client machines 1a to 1c constituting the user-side client group 1A. In addition, a user interface screen for selecting desired distribution data is provided. File distribution service 4
b receives and holds distribution data provided from each of the company-side client machines 2a to 2c constituting the company-side client group 2A, and is requested by the user-side client machines 1a to 1c through the above-described user interface screen. The distribution data is distributed to the requesting user-side client machines 1a to 1c. The file distribution service 4b distributes a predetermined application program to the requesting user-side client machines 1a to 1c. This application program is for collecting the actual usage history of the distribution data on the client machines 1a to 1c. For example, the application program proposes “object usage history management method, object usage history management device” proposed by the present applicant. And a recording medium storing an object use history program ”(Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-358928 / November 2000)
27) can be used. Details of the “object use monitoring program” will be described later.

The use history collection service 4c stores actual distribution data of each of the user-side client machines 1a to 1c collected by the above-described application program (hereinafter referred to as "object use monitoring program" for convenience of explanation). The data (usage history data) indicating the usage status is received, collected and classified for each user, each company, and each distribution data, and notified to each company. The other processing services 4d perform additional processing services that are deemed necessary, such as user authentication processing and mail generation processing when notifying each company by e-mail.

An important matter for a business model such as the present embodiment using the above-mentioned network infrastructure is to differentiate it from other similar services. This is because differentiating makes many users and companies attractive, and can increase the number of users and participating companies.
This is because it is possible to secure a profit (a usage fee of distribution data collected from a user, a registration fee of a participating company, and the like) and establish a stable business base.

<Flowchart of Business Model in Embodiment> Next, an outline of an operation model of the above business model will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (time run) of this embodiment. Here, uploading of wallpaper data from a specific company (conveniently referred to as a company-side client machine 2a) performed through the service entity 4A, and the wallpaper The exchange of information with a specific user who downloads and uses the data (for convenience, the user-side client machine 1a) is shown over time. It should be noted that in the figure, an authentication process and the like are omitted to simplify the description.

First, the operator of the company-side client machine 2a creates wallpaper data having notification information of its own product and the like, and uploads the wallpaper data to the service entity 4A. The service subject 4A holds the wallpaper data, and publishes the thumbnail image of the wallpaper data using the web service 4a so that the thumbnail image and the like can be browsed from the user side client machine 1a. The operator of the user-side client machine 1a views the thumbnail image and the like and, if there is one that he likes, requests the service subject 4A to download it. The service subject 4A transmits the corresponding wallpaper data to the requesting user-side client machine 1a in response to the request, and at this time, simultaneously transmits the above-mentioned "object use monitoring program". However, if the object use monitoring program has already been transmitted, this simultaneous transmission is not performed.

When the downloaded wallpaper data is actually used for the background image on the desktop screen by the operator of the user-side client machine 1a, the object use monitoring program starts collecting the use history of the wallpaper data. The object usage monitoring program is
The collection operation of the use history is continuously performed as long as the wallpaper data is actually used, and the collected data (use history data) is notified to the service subject 4A via the network 3. The service subject 4A classifies and aggregates the usage history data notified from the user-side client machine 1a for each wallpaper data, and sends, for example, an e-mail or the like to the company-side client machine 2a that provides the wallpaper data. Notify by means.
The company-side client machine 2a grasps the notification status of its own products and the like based on the classification and aggregation data, and provides, for example, a direct mail message to a user who has actually used wallpaper data for a long time. You can conduct more aggressive sales promotion activities, such as making direct contact with customers and sending out prizes.

In the above description, the important point is that each company can know the actual use result of the wallpaper data including the notification information of its products and the like. That is, in addition to simply grasping the number of downloads of the wallpaper data, it is possible to accurately know how long the wallpaper data has been actually used in a user's machine and for how long. . This is extremely important in ascertaining the advertising effect of a commercial or the like, and is an indispensable merit for efficiently conducting the above-mentioned sales promotion activities.

Therefore, according to the business model described above, (1) the company can accurately grasp the advertisement results and perform the sales promotion activities without waste. (2) The user can freely select a wallpaper using a material such as a television commercial and use it as a background image on the desktop screen, and can achieve a screen layout that matches his / her hobbies and preferences. (3) The service entity can stabilize the business base by using the registration fee and usage fee from companies and users as revenue.

<Specific Embodiment> Next, a specific example for realizing the above-described business model will be described. However, the following description is to prove the feasibility of the business model described above based on known technology,
The extension of the technical idea of the present invention must not be grasped by its configuration, algorithm, or the like.

FIG. 4A shows the client machine 10.
(Each client machine 1a-1c, 2a-2c in FIG. 1)
FIG. 4B is a system configuration diagram of the server machine 20 (corresponding to the server machine 4 of FIG. 1). These are all OSI (Open Sys
tem Interconnection (open system interconnection) is shown in a hierarchical structure simulating a reference model. In the figure, a client machine 10 and a server machine 20
Each has a multilayer structure in which the lowest layers are physical layers 11 and 21, and operating systems 12 and 22 and required application programs 13, 14, 23 to 26 are hierarchically mounted thereon.

Here, the physical layers 11 and 21 are physical resources such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) card and a communication port. Application programs 13, 14, 23-
26 is an API for the operating systems 12 and 22
(Application Programmable Interface) to use these resources indirectly. The operating systems 12, 22 are based on the Internet Protocol (I
P) is supported as a standard or can be implemented. Preferably, a network OS is implemented as a standard, for example, Microsoft Windows CE / 95/98 / NT / 2000.
(Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) or Linux. However, the operating system 22 of the server machine 20 is dedicated to a server having excellent stability and reliability (for example, Microsoft Windows NT Serv.
er / 2000 Server).

The application programs 13 and 14 mounted on the client machine 10 are browser software and mailer (e-mail software), respectively. Hereinafter, the application program 13 is referred to as browser software 13, and the application program 14 is referred to as a mailer 14. Browser software 1
Numeral 3 is indispensable for browsing Web contents provided by the network service, and the mailer 14 is required for receiving a notification mail or the like from the server machine 20. .

On the other hand, the application programs 23 to 26 mounted on the server machine 20 are respectively WWW
(Wold Wide Web) Server Service Program, CGI
(Common Gateway Interface) Processing program, database service program, mail service program. Hereinafter, application programs 23 to 26
To the WWW server service program 23, the CGI processing program 24, the database service program 25, and the mail service program 26, respectively.
I will say that.

The WWW server service program 23
It performs Web content publishing services and file transfer services. For example, Microsoft's I
An IS (Internet Information Server) or the like can be used. Further, the CGI processing program 24 functions as a determination unit and a notification unit, and is a collection of programs for realizing the main points of the present embodiment, which are designed using a server-side script language. The language is Perl (Practi
cal extension reporting Language) and ASP (Active
Server Pages) can be used.

The operating system 22 of the server machine 20 includes, for example, Microsoft Windows NT / 20
If 00 is used, there is no problem because the Perl and ASP execution environments are implemented as standard, but if a non-implemented operating system is used, Perl or ASP corresponding to the server-side script language described above is used. AS
Needless to say, it is necessary to separately install an execution environment such as P.

The database service program 25
It functions as a first holding unit, a second holding unit, and a third holding unit, and provides a database service to the above-mentioned CGI processing program 24.
It is desirable to use a relational database system that supports SQL (Structured Query Language) such as SQL. Finally, the mail service program 26 has a CG
It delivers various notification mails to the recruiter or job seeker generated by the I processing program 24, and generally uses an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server program.

These application programs 23
26 is the browser software 1 of the client machine 10
3 together with a so-called “three-layer client / server model (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as“ 3CS model ”).” That is, the browser software 13 is a user interface layer, the WWW server service program 23 and the CGI processing program 24 are 3CS with processing layer and database service program 25 as database layer
Build the model. The CGI processing program 24 has a close relationship with the business model strategic model among these three layers. Set appropriate business rules,
This is because the rules are programmed using a server-side split language.

In the above description, the client machine 10 and the server machine 20 are not referred to in a general manner (for example, a personal computer). To avoid. For example, in the server machine 20,
Depending on the scale of the network service, a large-scale high-performance server computer of a parallel processing type, a small-scale computer to a relatively low-performance computer such as a personal computer, and the client machine 10, not only a personal computer, Mobile information terminals and mobile phones compatible with the Internet (or PHS: Personal Handy Phone)
System) can take a wide variety of forms.

The server machine 20 may be either a rental server prepared by an Internet provider or a dedicated server prepared by a network service provider (operator). In the case of a dedicated server, it may be installed in the Internet provider,
It may be installed in the network service provider's office.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the client machine 10. The illustrated client machine 10 has a CP
U10a (requesting unit), RAM 10b, disk controller 10c, disk device 10d (holding unit), display controller 10e, display device 10
f, keyboard controller 10g, keyboard device 1
0h, a pointing device 10i, a communication controller 10j (holding means), a main bus 10k, a bus interface 10m, an internal bus 10n, and the like.

The client machine 10 stores the operating system and various application programs stored in the disk device 10d in advance in the RAM 10b.
Is loaded into the CPU 10a and executed by the CPU 10a.
A user is provided with various functions virtually realized by an organic combination of hardware resources including the U10a and software resources (such as an operating system and an application program). The user can select a desktop screen displayed on the display device 10f or various G
While interacting with the client machine 10 through the UI screen, the client machine 1 operates the keyboard device 10h and the pointing device device 10i to move the cursor, generate a click event, and input characters.
The required instruction is given to 0.

Here, the client machine 10 in the present embodiment can download, for example, an "object" such as wallpaper from the network 3 via the communication control device 10j and use the object. is there. Use refers to the act of actively using the information and attributes of the object. For example, if the object is an image object such as a wallpaper, the image object can be pasted on a desktop screen or the like and the image information can be visually recognized. To display the image information so that it can be visually recognized by attaching it to each part of the command button control or window object, or if the object has a skeleton attribute such as a property, The act of using one of them corresponds to it.

The "object" is the server machine 20
Downloaded from That is, the server machine 20
Publishes object data such as wallpaper data to any client machine 10 via the network 3 in a downloadable manner, and at the same time, a dedicated application program (object) for grasping the actual use history of the object at the download destination. And a usage monitoring program). Hereinafter, the object whose usage history is to be grasped is referred to as a “target object” for convenience.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the storage space of the disk device 10d in the client machine 10. In this figure, a user application program D1, an object use monitoring program D
2, monitoring data D3, target object D4, operating system D5 (including various driver programs), and the like. Note that the order of storage is for convenience.

The operating system D5 including various driver programs is connected to the hardware resources of the client machine 10 in an organic manner, and is connected to the file system (F).
It provides various OS basic functions including S). The user application program D1 is an API (Application Programmable) of the operating system D5.
Interface) or the like, the above-described OS basic functions can be used. For example, if the user application program D1 is browsing software for web contents (so-called browser software), the user can use the operating system D by using the browser software.
Communication control device 1 using the Internet connection function 5
0j, the user can access a web server (server machine 20) on the network 3, for example, while downloading paid wallpaper data,
At the same time, the object usage monitoring program can be downloaded.

In this case, the downloaded wallpaper data and the object use monitoring program are stored in the disk device 10d as the target object D4 and the object use monitoring program D2, respectively. The object use monitoring program D2 grasps the actual use situation of the wallpaper data (target object D4) and stores the grasped data as monitoring data D3 in the disk device 10d. Since the object use monitoring program D2 needs to be always in a task execution state for object use monitoring while the client machine 10 is running, it is, for example, an automatic execution service program or a startup resident type program. Desirably, the service has a mechanism in which the service cannot be stopped or released from residence freely by the user.

<Operation of Object Usage Monitoring Program> FIG. 7A shows an object usage monitoring program D2.
5 is a schematic flowchart of the “object use monitoring service part” of FIG. The object use monitoring program D2 first determines whether or not the target object D4 is actually used (Step S11). This determination is to check whether or not the information and attributes possessed by the target object D4 are actually used in some task (a task being executed by the user application program D1 or the operating system D5). If the object is an image object, the use status of the image object can be known by inquiring the FS (file system) of the operating system D5. If the target object D4 is being used, the usage history (for example, the identification information of the target object D4 and the usage time) is generated, and the monitoring data D3 is updated with the history data (step S12). Then, the process waits for the elapse of a predetermined interval time (“YES” determination in step S13), and repeats the above processing (steps S11 to S11).
Step S13) is repeated.

As described above, according to the object use monitoring program D2 of the present embodiment, the use state of the target object D4 can be checked at predetermined intervals, and the monitor data D3 can be updated with the use history data. . Therefore, for example, when a user downloads paid wallpaper data from the Internet or the like to his or her client machine 10 and uses it by pasting it on a desktop screen, the actual usage time (the client machine 10 with the wallpaper data displayed) 10 is used as the use history and the monitoring data D3
Can be left.

FIG. 7B is a schematic flowchart of the "monitoring data notification service portion" of the object use monitoring program D2. The monitor data notification service portion periodically starts during the activation of the object use monitoring program D2. Is executed. First, the object use monitoring program D2 determines whether or not it is connected to the network 3 via the communication control device 10j (Step S).
14). If the connection is not established, the flow is terminated as it is, while if the connection is established, the monitoring data D3 stored in the disk device 10d is read out, and the server 20 which is the distribution source of the target object D4 is addressed to the network 20. After transmitting above, the flow ends.

As a result, the distribution source (server machine 20) of the target object D4 can periodically obtain the monitoring data D3 from the client machine 10 that is the destination of the target object D4, and
Since the monitoring data D3 includes accurate information indicating the actual usage history of the target object D4 at the destination, the server machine 20 can, for example, grasp and analyze the advertising effect or the like. It is possible to perform a pay-as-you-go billing process or the like according to the use result of D4.

In the above description, the monitoring result of the use of the target object D4 is stored in plain text with respect to the monitoring data D3. However, considering security, in reality, for example, as described below. To
It is desirable to take measures to prevent unauthorized alteration of the monitoring data D3.

<Improved Object Usage Monitoring Program> FIG. 8 shows an example of an object usage monitoring program D2 improved to include an unauthorized tampering prevention measure. In this figure, the object use monitoring program D2 repeats a pause (step S21) and an activation (step S22) at predetermined intervals (timer in the figure), and the actual execution of the target object D4 (the wallpaper in the figure) during the activation. Is determined (step S26) and the usage history is stored as monitoring data D3 (step S29), which is common to the above-described embodiment, but differs in the following points.

(A) Time Acquisition from Time Server In step S24, if a connection to the Internet is detected, in step S25, a time server on the Internet is automatically accessed to acquire time information. The time server is a server of the first hierarchy (stratum 1) having accurate time information such as an atomic clock or a GPS clock or another server that corrects its own time information based on time information passed from the server. That is. Currently available time servers include, for example, time
-A.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov and others.

The time information that can be obtained from the time server is:
Depending on the transfer protocol used, NTP (Network Ti
me Protocol) time and SNTP (Simple Network Time P)
rotocol) time, which is accurate time information that does not involve any user of the client machine 10 on the client side (side using the time server). S
NTP time ") using the target object D4
Authentication of the date and time of use will be performed. The reason is as follows. In other words, the usage status of the target object D4 is grasped exclusively as the total time actually used. The total time is calculated on the client machine 10
Can be obtained by taking the cumulative total of the elapsed startup time (for example, the return value of GetTickCount () of the Windows API), which starts counting immediately after the startup, but the user can freely change the "date and time information" of the start of use In the case of using the system time, inaccuracy (time lag) cannot be denied, and the system time may be intentionally changed in some cases. Thus, the use date and time of the target object D4 is authenticated, thereby improving the accuracy of the use date and time of the target object D4.

As an example of an actual use date / time authentication example, first, it is assumed that use of the target object D4 is started n seconds after the client machine 10 is started, and m (m is Interval time; however, if the first use status determination processing (step S26) is executed after m> n) seconds, the first total time is mn seconds, and the second total time after elapse of m seconds Since the time is 2m-n seconds, if the number of repetitions of the use status determination process (step S26) is j, the j-th cumulative time after elapse of jm seconds can be expressed as "jm-n seconds". This jm-n seconds is the cumulative use time of the target object D4.

On the other hand, the use date and time (especially the use start date and time) of the target object D4 can be obtained from the system time and the SNTP time as described above. However,
Since the SNTP time cannot be obtained when not connected to the Internet (in the case of non-connection) (in other words, the time always obtained is only the system time), the system time and the SN of one target object D4 are obtained.
There are two cases where two date and time information using both TP times can be obtained, and two cases where only one date and time information using only the system time is obtained. , And the date and time information corresponding to the SNTP time is treated as a value “0”. The meaning of this value “0” will be described in the encryption processing part (3) described later.

(B) Judgment of Use Period of Target Object D4 In this modification, when the use state of the target object D4 is confirmed, it is judged that the use period of the target object D4 has been exceeded (step S26). If the target object D4 is used, the use of the target object D4 is stopped, or the function is restricted (for example, the image quality of the image object is reduced) to allow the continuous use, and a warning message indicating that the continuous use fee is paid is displayed. Or The expiration date information can be embedded in the target object D4 by, for example, a digital signature method such as a digital watermark.

(C) Encrypting Process of Monitoring Data D3 In this modification, the use history is not stored as it is as the monitoring data D3, but is encrypted and compressed (steps S27 and S28). (Step S29). This is to prevent unauthorized monitoring of the monitoring data D3 by an inexperienced user and to reduce network traffic by reducing the data capacity. The encryption algorithm is DES (Data Encryption Standard) or PGP
(Pretty Good Privacy) or a highly secure one such as RC4 may be used. For example, a simple unique encryption value may be generated by combining the information elements of the usage history.

Now, the identification information (target object ID) of the target object D4 is set to “0099123”.
456001231 ”and the use date and time information obtained from the system time is“ 001001180000 ”(200
0/10/01 18:00: 00), and the accumulated time information is set to "90000000" (millisecond).
Also, the use date and time information obtained from the SNTP time is "00".
10011880512 "(corresponding to 18:05:12 on October 1, 2000), since all of these information elements are numerical data, for example, the added value of each information element (0099123456001231 + 0010)
01180000 + 90000000 + 001001180
512), and the sum can be used as a simple unique encryption value.

If the unique encryption value is stored together with each information element in the monitoring data D3, each element of the monitoring data D3 is re-added after the fact, and the re-added value and the monitoring data D3 are added. By determining a match with the unique encryption value stored in the information element, it is possible to determine whether each information element has been tampered with. Here, in the above (A), the SNTP
The reason that when the date and time information corresponding to the time is not obtained is treated as the value "0" is that even in such a case it can be added as a numerical value. If the value is not treated as "0", the value becomes, for example, a NULL value or an EMPTY value, and an error occurs in the addition operation. Note that, in the above-described addition processing, each information element is simply added, and in some cases, there is a possibility that the way of addition may be lost. Therefore, for example, the day of the week is calculated from the date and time information, and the number for each day of the week (Sunday =
1, Monday = 2, Tuesday = 3, ‥‥) may be added to the unique encryption value. In this way, since the unique encryption value includes an element (day of the week) that is not included in the information element, simplicity can be eliminated and security can be improved.

<Structure Example of Monitoring Data D3> As described above, according to this modification, the disk device 10d
As shown in FIG. 9A, the monitoring data D3 stored in the target object ID field 15a, the update date and time field 15b, the SNTP authentication date and time field 15c, the activation elapsed time field 15d, and the unique encryption value field 15e Object D4
It may be an n-number of data records 15 data group 15 composed of ₁ to 15 _n of each.

For example, according to the above example, FIG.
(B), the in each field 15a~15e of one data record 15 _i of which, respectively, the target object ID "009912345600
1231 ”, use date and time information“ 001001180000 ”obtained from the system time, and accumulated time information“ 900
000 "and usage date / time information" 001001180512 "obtained from the SNTP time,
In addition, an addition value (unique encryption value) of those values and the day value (2000/10/01 → Sunday = 1) “1985570105
31935841691503 ″ can be stored.

Therefore, the target object ID
In the object distributor of “0099123456001231” (server machine 20), this data record 1
By obtaining 5 _i, taking a match with re sum of unique encryption value and the information element, it is possible to perform existence determination of tampering, grasp the results of utilization of the target object D4 from the respective information element And the like can be accurately performed, and as a result, a special effect that various processings that were impossible in the past, such as grasping analysis of the advertisement effect and charging processing based on a pay-as-you-go system can be performed can be obtained.

<Structure of 3CS Model> Next, the “3CS model” in the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
Is a schematic model structure diagram. As mentioned above,
The browser software 13 of the client machine 10 forms a user interface layer F1, and the WWW server service program 23 and the CGI processing program 24 of the server machine 20 form a processing layer F2. Further, the database service program 25 configures a database layer F3, and the three layers (F1 to F3) configure 3CS.
The model is built.

Note that COM / DCOM (Component Obje
When using a decentralized technology such as ct Model / Distributed Component Object Model), the processing layer F2 and the database layer F3 can be operated on different platforms, or a part of the processing layer F2 and the database layer F3. Alternatively, all of them can be similarly distributed, but here, for simplification of description, it is assumed that they are operated on the same platform (that is, the server machine 20).

In FIG. 10, in response to a request from the browser software 13, a WWW server service program 23 requests a static document (for example, a main screen of a network service; not shown) stored in advance in a public folder 23a. In addition to sending to the browser software, if a request for a required document or a data download / upload request is made, CG
The request is transmitted to the I processing program 24, and the document generated by the CGI processing program 24 is received and transmitted to the requesting browser software, or data upload is accepted or requested data is downloaded.

The CGI processing program 24 is conceptually
It can be divided into a command interface 24a, an authentication unit 24b, a data delivery / distribution unit 24c, a usage history classification / collection unit 24d, a mail generation unit 34e, a database connection 24f, and the like. The authentication unit 24b, the data delivery / distribution unit 24b, the usage history classification / collection unit 24d, and the mail generation unit 34e are parts on which business rules for implementing processing functions unique to network services are implemented.

The command interface 24a
Are the WWW server service program 23 and the above-described specific processing function parts (authentication unit 24b, data reception / distribution unit 24b,
Usage history classification collection unit 24d and mail generation unit 34e)
It is a part that performs command relay and data relay between them and requests the mail service program 26 to distribute e-mail, and is provided by a server-side script execution environment such as Perl or ASP. In addition, the database connection 24f is also Per
1 and a function part provided by a server-side script execution environment such as an ASP. The part performs command relay and data relay between the database service program 25 and the specific processing function part. For example, for ODBC (Op. Op.) Corresponding to the database service program 25,
en Data-Base Connectivity).

The database service program 25
It includes a distribution data DB 25a, an object use monitoring program DB 25b, a user DB 25c, a company DB 25d, and the like. FIG. 11 shows a distribution data DB 25a, an object use monitoring program DB 25b, and a user DB 25c.
And a table structure conceptual diagram of a company DB 25d.

In the figure, a distribution data DB 25a includes a distribution data ID field for storing a distribution data ID,
A distribution data name field for storing the distribution data name, a distribution data body field for storing the distribution data body,
A distribution company name field for storing a distribution company name of distribution data, and distribution data such as wallpaper data provided by each registered company (a target object D
4) is stored as one record data.

The object use monitoring program D
B25b has an application program name field for storing the application program name and an application program main body field for storing the application program main body, and at least a dedicated application program for collecting the actual use history of the target object D4 (described above). The program name and the program body of the object use monitoring program D2) are stored as one record.

The user DB 25c includes a user ID field for storing a user ID, a password field for storing a password, a user information field for storing user information such as a name, and a program downloaded for storing a program downloaded flag. The distribution data DB 25a includes a flag field, a plurality of distribution data ID fields for storing IDs of distribution data downloaded by the user, and a plurality of usage history data fields for storing usage history data for each distribution data. In addition to the information such as the ID, password, and name of a user who has permission to download any distribution data stored in the distribution data, the ID of the distribution data that the user has already downloaded and the usage history data of the distribution data are stored in one record. To hold as de.

The company DB 25d includes a company ID field for storing a company ID, a company information field for storing company information, and a plurality of distribution data ID fields for storing IDs of respective distribution data provided by the company. ,
It has a plurality of usage history data fields for storing usage history data for each distribution data, and includes information (ID, company name, etc.) of each registered company, ID of provided distribution data, and totals for each company. The usage history data for each distribution data is stored as one record.

<Operation of 3CS Model> Next, a user interface screen transmitted from the server machine 20 to the client machine 10 according to the above system configuration will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a login screen and a user registration screen. The login screen 30 is a web content transmitted from the server machine 20 to the client machine 10 of the access source when the server machine 20 is accessed using an arbitrary client machine 10, and is a document described in a so-called HTML language. It is. The login screen 30 has text box controls 30a and 30b for inputting a user ID and a user password, and an OK command button control for transmitting input information of these text box controls 30a and 30b to the server machine 20. 30c, having a cancel command button control 30d for canceling the input,
It has a user registration command button control 30e for registering a new user.

A user who has already registered his or her ID and password can enter the text box control 30a,
0b, enter the OK command button control 30
Click c. The server machine 20 receives the input information (user ID, user password), searches the user DB 25c, and if there is a corresponding record, authentication O
While K is determined and access to the distribution data DB 25a is permitted, if there is no corresponding record, authentication NG is determined and a screen for notifying the user is displayed, or a user registration screen 31 is displayed.

When the user registration command button control 30 e is clicked on the login screen 30 or when the user authentication result is NG, the user registration screen 31 is transmitted from the server machine 20 to the client machine 10. This user registration screen 31 is also a document described in the so-called HTML language. User registration screen 3
1 is a user's name, address, and e-mail address (E
text box controls 31a, 31b, 31c for inputting user information such as mail) and text box controls 31d, 31e for inputting a user's desired ID and password.
And furthermore, the input information is stored in the server machine 20.
Command button control 31 for sending to
f, a "stop" command button control 31g for canceling.

A new user who intends to receive the network service of the present embodiment inputs necessary items in each of the text control boxes 31a to 31e and then clicks a registration command button control 31f to input the input information to the server machine 20. Send to Server machine 20
Receives the registration information, adds a new record to the user DB 25c, and stores and holds the received information in the record.

FIG. 13 shows the client machine 1 operated by the user when the login authentication is OK.
11 is a diagram showing a distribution data list screen transmitted from the server machine to 0. FIG. On the list screen 32, thumbnails (for example, person, landscape, ‥‥) of all distribution data (hereinafter, referred to as wallpaper data for convenience) stored in the distribution data DB 25a are classified according to the category (for example, person, landscape, and ‥‥). Reduced image) A1, B1, ~ I1 ‥‥, A2, B
2, to I2, and ‥‥ are attached, and when an arbitrary thumbnail is clicked, the enlarged image screen is transmitted from the server machine 20 and displayed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an enlarged image screen 33 of the thumbnail A1, for example.
Includes a thumbnail A along with an explanatory character string display area (for example, "Do you want to download the next wallpaper data?") 33a for confirming the download of the wallpaper data.
An explanatory character string display area (for example, “this wallpaper”) that indicates that a dedicated application program (the object usage monitoring program stored in the object usage monitoring program DB 25c) is to be downloaded along with the download of the first enlarged image 33b and the wallpaper data. To use the data, a special application program is required. Press the "Yes" button to download the special application program at the same time. ") 33c," Yes "command button control 33d to start downloading, and A "stop" command button control 33e for stopping download is provided. Note that the explanatory character string display area 33c is in a non-display state when a dedicated application program has already been downloaded to the client machine 10 of the user, and corresponds to a case where the “Yes” command button control 33d is clicked. Only wallpaper data is downloaded. That is, for the client machine 10 that has already downloaded the object use monitoring program, the explanation character string display area 33c is hidden and the object use monitoring program is not downloaded. The program download completed flag in the user DB 25c is a check flag for that,
When this flag is in one state (for example, a set state), it indicates that the object use monitoring program has already been downloaded. When it is in another state (for example, a reset state), it means that it has not been downloaded yet. Represents. Therefore, the server machine 20
Check this program downloaded flag,
In one state, the explanation character string display area 33c is set to a non-display state, and the object use monitoring program is prevented from being downloaded.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a time run from login to downloading of wallpaper data between the client machine 10 and the server machine 20 on the user side. In this figure, first, when the user operates the client machine 10 to access the server machine 20,
The server machine 20 has a login screen 30 shown in FIG.
Is transmitted to the client machine 10. The user who has completed member registration logs in by inputting an ID and a password on the login screen 30. Alternatively, the user who has not yet registered as a member clicks the user registration command button control 30e on the login screen 30 and displays the user registration screen 3 shown in FIG.
1 is requested, and necessary information is input to the user registration screen 31 to log in.

The server machine 20 performs login authentication, and if the authentication result is OK, transmits the distribution data list screen 32 of FIG. 13 to the client machine 10.
The distribution data list screen 32 includes a distribution data DB2
The thumbnails of all the wallpaper data stored in 5a are posted, and the user finds a favorite wallpaper and clicks on the thumbnail. Server machine 2
0 transmits the enlarged image screen 33 having the enlarged image 33b of the wallpaper to the client machine 10 in response to the click.

Here, when the program download completed flag in the user record of the user DB 25c is in another state, the above-mentioned dedicated application program (object use monitoring program) for collecting the use history of the wallpaper data is not yet available. Since it has not been downloaded to the client machine 10 of the user,
The server machine 20 transmits a character string (explanatory character string display area 33c) specifying that the dedicated application program is to be downloaded together with the wallpaper data in the enlarged image screen 33. When the user sees the character string and understands the simultaneous download, he or she clicks the Yes button command control 33d, and the server machine 20 stores the requested wallpaper data in the distribution data DB 25a.
Of the object usage monitoring program, and sends the object usage monitoring program to the client machine 10 from the application program main body field of the object usage monitoring program DB 25b.

When the program download completed flag in the user record of the user DB 25c is in the one state, the dedicated application program (object use monitoring program) for collecting the use history of the wallpaper data has already been set. Since the client application 10 has been downloaded to the user's client machine 10, the server machine 20 displays a character string (explanatory character string display area 33c) indicating that the dedicated application program is also downloaded together with the wallpaper data on the enlarged image screen 3.
3, and when the user clicks the Yes button command control 33d, the server machine 20 extracts only the requested wallpaper data from the distribution data body field of the distribution data DB 25a and sends it to the client machine 10. Send.

Thereafter, in the client machine 10, the object use monitoring program is always activated, and while the downloaded wallpaper is actually used, its use history is collected and stored in the disk device 10d of the client machine 10. It is stored and held as monitoring data D3.

FIG. 16 shows an operation of uploading usage history data performed between the client machine 10 on the user side and the server machine 20 and a usage history performed between the server machine 20 and the client machine 10 on the company side. It is a figure which shows the time run of the notification operation of total data. In this figure, the object use monitoring program running on the user side client machine 10 is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 7B, the connection status to the network 3 is periodically checked, and if connected, the monitoring data D3 held in the disk device 10d is uploaded to the server machine 20. For example, assuming that the check interval is Ta and that the client machine 10 is constantly connected to the network 3, the client machine 10 uploads the monitoring data D3 to the server machine 20 at the Ta interval, and the server machine 20 receives the monitoring data D3. Each time, the usage history of each distribution data and each company is totaled, and at any time, the totaling result (the usage history totaling data) is notified to the client machine 20 of each company, for example, by e-mail.

<Summary> Since the present invention is constituted as described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained. That is, object data such as wallpaper provided by each company is stored in the server machine 20 on the network 3 and can be freely downloaded by accessing the client machine 10 of a registered user. At the time of downloading, a dedicated application program for grasping the actual usage history of the object data on the client machine 10 can be downloaded at the same time. Then, the collected use history data is transferred to the server machine 2 via the network 3 by the dedicated application program.
0 can be automatically uploaded.

Therefore, the server machine 20 can accurately grasp the use record of the object such as the wallpaper on each client machine 10 and notify the use record to the company or the like which provided the object data. It is possible to grasp and analyze the advertisement effect at the provider, for example, and to efficiently make direct contact with the user, such as sales promotion activities.

As a result, it is possible for the service subject to differentiate from a mere download site for wallpaper data, etc., to secure a large number of users and providing companies, to stabilize the profit base, A useful business model can be realized.

<Other Modifications> Of course, the above embodiments can be variously modified within the range intended by the present invention. For example, a CGI processing program 24 for realizing a business model strategy model according to the present invention.
About server language such as Perl and ASP, and all or part of the script block, DLL (Dynamic Link Library) and OCX (OL)
E Control) or a component component such as ActiveX or the like, or XML (extensible M
(arkup Language) technology.

<Supplementary Note> The main function of the present embodiment is functionally realized by an organic combination of a hardware asset including a microcomputer and software assets such as an operating system and various programs. However, since the hardware assets and the operating system can be general-purpose ones, the essential items indispensable to the present invention are substantially 3C
C implemented in the processing layer F2 (see FIG. 10) of the / S model
It can be said that they are collected in the GI processing program 24. Therefore, the present invention provides a recording medium, such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory, or a component (unit) including these recording media, in which all or a main part of the CGI processing program 24 is stored. Products or finished or semi-finished products). In addition, the recording medium or the component includes not only a recording medium or a component on a distribution channel itself but also a recording medium or a component on a network that provides only recorded contents.

[0089]

According to the present invention, when distribution data is downloaded by a client machine, a predetermined application program is downloaded to the client machine together with the distribution data. The use history of the distribution data on the client machine is collected by the operation of the application program, and the use history data is transmitted from the client machine to the server machine. Therefore, since the actual use record of the distribution data downloaded to the client machine can be grasped on the server machine, for example,
It becomes possible to grasp and analyze the advertising effect when performing an advertisement or the like using the distribution data, or to increase the variation of the charging by applying a charging process according to the usage result of the distribution data. After all,
The quality of the service can be improved to differentiate it from other similar services, thereby achieving the development and stabilization of the business base.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a network infrastructure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a business model structure of a network service according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a business model in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a client machine 10 and a server machine 20.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a client machine 10.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a storage space of a disk device 10d in the client machine 10.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of an object use monitoring program D2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an object use monitoring program D2 improved so as to include an unauthorized tampering prevention measure.

FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram of monitoring data D3.

FIG. 10 is a schematic model structure diagram of a 3CS model in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a distribution data DB 25a, an object use monitoring program DB 25b, a user DB 25c, and a company D
It is a table structure conceptual diagram of B25d.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a login screen 30 and a user registration screen 31.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a distribution data list screen 32.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an enlarged image screen 33 of a thumbnail A1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a time run from login to downloading of wallpaper data performed between the client machine 10 and the server machine 20 on the user side.

FIG. 16 shows an operation of uploading usage history data performed between the client machine 10 on the user side and the server machine 20, and an operation of totaling usage history data performed between the server machine 20 and the client machine 10 on the company side. It is a figure showing a time run of a notice operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 10 Client machine 3 Network 4, 20 Server machine 10a CPU (requesting means) 10d Disk device (holding device) 10j Communication control device (transmitting device) 24 CGI processing program (determining device, notifying device) 25 Database service ( (First holding means, second holding means, third holding means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A server machine and a client machine that can communicate with each other through a network. 1) The server machine can be used on the client machine by being downloaded to any client machine via the network. First holding means for holding the distribution data, and second holding means for holding an application program downloaded to the client machine together with the distribution data and used for collecting the usage history of the distribution data in the client machine. A third holding unit that receives the usage history data collected by the application program via the network and stores the usage history data in a form that can be notified to the provider of the distribution data; 2) the client machine includes: Distribution data for Requesting means for requesting transmission of: a holding means for holding distribution data transmitted from the server machine in response to the request and an application program for collecting usage history of the distribution data; and A network service system comprising: a transmission unit that executes the held application program and transmits usage history data collected by the application program at the time of the execution to a server machine. 2. A first method for storing distribution data that can be used on a client machine by being downloaded to an arbitrary client machine via a network.
Holding means; second holding means for holding an application program downloaded to the client machine together with the distribution data and used for collecting the usage history of the distribution data on the client machine; and usage history collected by the application program A third holding means for receiving data via a network and holding the distribution data in a form that can be notified to a provider of the distribution data. 3. The server machine further includes a determination unit that determines whether the application program has been downloaded to the client machine requesting the distribution data, and the determination unit determines that the application program has been downloaded. 3. The network service system according to claim 1, wherein the application program is downloaded to the requesting client machine together with the requested distribution data when there is no distribution data. 4. The server machine according to claim 1, wherein the server machine further includes a notifying unit for notifying the use history data held in the third holding unit to a distribution data provider via a network. 2. The network service system according to any one of 2. 5. A first method for storing distribution data that can be used on a client machine by being downloaded to an arbitrary client machine via a network.
Holding means, second holding means for holding an application program downloaded to the client machine together with the distribution data and used for collecting the usage history of the distribution data in the client machine, and usage history collected by the application program A recording medium storing a network service program for realizing all or a part of the third holding unit for receiving data via a network and holding the distribution data in a form that can be notified to a provider of the distribution data. 6. The network service program further implements a judging means for judging whether or not the application program has been downloaded to the client machine requesting the distribution data. 6. The recording medium according to claim 5, further comprising a function of downloading the application program to the requesting client machine together with the requested distribution data when it is not determined that the distribution has been completed. 7. The network service program further implements notifying means for notifying the use history data held in the third holding means to a distribution data provider via a network. Item 6. The recording medium according to Item 5.